Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

MADISON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A portion of East 2000 North in Rexburg has been temporarily blocked off due to a downed power line, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Utility personnel from Rocky Mountain Power are currently at the scene, near the 3400 block of East 2000 North. According to the sheriff’s office, Rocky Mountain Power estimates the roadway will remain closed for approximately 4 hours while crews work to safely clear the area.

Deputies are actively directing traffic and urging drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes until repairs are complete.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide further updates throughout the evening.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Suppe

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on September 8, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday appointed two new members to the Idaho State Board of Education: Mary Lynn Hartwell of Idaho Falls and Joel Beck of American Falls. 

Pending confirmation by the Idaho Senate, Hartwell and Beck replace William Gilbert and Cindy Siddoway, whose terms expired last month. 

The State Board oversees Idaho’s K-20 public education system, including setting policy and allocating funding for public schools, colleges and universities. State Board members also serve as trustees for Idaho’s four-year higher education institutions.

The governor appoints seven of the board’s eight members, with approval from the Idaho Senate, to five-year terms. The eighth member is the elected state superintendent of public instruction.

“Mary Lynn Hartwell and Joel Beck bring a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to public service and a strong connection to Idaho’s communities and schools,” Little said in a news release. “Their professional backgrounds and firsthand experience with education and community leadership will be valuable as the State Board works to strengthen Idaho’s education system and prepare students for success.” 

Hartwell worked in the insurance industry for four decades before retiring in 2013 from the Hartwell Corporation, an insurance agency, where she was executive vice president. She serves on the company’s board of directors. 

Hartwell is also a member of the College of Eastern Idaho’s finance committee and is president of the Civic Center Performing Arts Foundation. Previously, she held leadership roles with United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County, Zonta Club, Idaho Falls Rotary, Idaho Falls Arts Council and Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

“I’m honored to serve Idaho in this role and give back to the state and community that have given me so much,” Hartwell said in the news release. “I look forward to working with the other members of the State Board of Education to support Idaho students, families and educators.”

Mary Lynn Hartwell (Photo: LinkedIn)

Joel Beck (Photo: Ruchti & Beck Law Offices)

Beck is an attorney and former public school trustee. A partner and owner of Ruchti & Beck Law Offices in Pocatello, Beck has practiced law in Idaho for more than two decades. Sen. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, is the other partner and owner of the law firm. 

Beck also serves on the Sixth Judicial District Magistrate Commission and on boards for the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and Friends of the Children – Eastern Idaho.

“As a product of Idaho’s public schools and a former school board trustee, I understand the importance of ensuring Idaho students have access to a strong education and the opportunities they need to succeed,” Beck said in the news release. “I’m honored to serve Idaho in this capacity.” 

Hartwell and Beck’s appointments are not yet official; they must be confirmed by the Idaho Senate next legislative session. 

The Senate rarely rejects gubernatorial appointees, but that happened in 2023 with Little’s choice for the Idaho Public Charter School Commission. Senators voted down the appointment of Karen Echeverria. 

Meanwhile, Hartwell and Beck will serve as interim State Board members. State Board chairman Kurt Liebich welcomed them Tuesday. 

“We look forward to working together as we remain committed to strengthening Idaho’s schools and universities for the next generation,” Liebich said in the news release. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Theatre fans, get ready to “kick off your Sunday shoes!” Center Stage Theatre has announced that the hit Broadway show Footloose will lead its upcoming summer 2027 season, running select dates from July 16 through August 28.

Based on the classic 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, the musical follows Ren McCormack, a Chicago teenager who moves to a conservative small town where rock music and dancing have been outlawed. Audiences can expect classic 80’s hits like “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” in what the theatre promises will be one of its most exciting summer productions yet.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring Footloose to Center Stage,” said Head of Marketing Chandler Dye. “There is something incredibly special about this show. It brings back so much nostalgia while still telling a story that feels incredibly relevant today. It’s energetic, funny, heartfelt, and filled with music that people know and love. We cannot wait for our audiences to experience it.”

The theatre will also welcome back fan-favorite director and choreographer Danny Hansen to helm the production. Dye says Hansen’s return is sure to bring an exciting energy to the production.

“We are incredibly excited to have Danny Hansen back at Center Stage,” said Dye. “Danny has such a unique ability to bring energy, heart, and personality to everything he creates. As both director and choreographer, Footloose is a perfect opportunity for him to showcase that talent. We know he is going to bring this story to life in a way that will have audiences on their feet.”

Performance schedules, showtimes, and ticket purchases are available now on the Center Stage Theatre website. For more information, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

LINCOLN, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office has identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting early Friday morning as 43-year-old Marcus Griffin of Idaho Falls.

Coroner Shante Sanchez confirmed Griffin’s identity following the incident on Friday, Sept. 4, but held off on releasing the name to allow family members time to notify loved ones, according to an official statement from the coroner’s office.

The shooting occurred just before 6 a.m. after dispatchers received a call from a residence on Badger Creek Road. The caller indicated he was armed and intended to take his own life, according to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

When deputies arrived, they began evacuating the home. During the process, BCSO says a man—now identified as Griffin—emerged holding a firearm. “Shots were fired at that time, and the subject was injured,” stated the Sheriff’s Office in a press release.

Deputies performed life-saving measures until Idaho Falls Ambulance personnel arrived, but Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured.

The East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office serving as the lead agency. They are assisted by the Idaho State Police, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and other regional agencies.

“I think it’s too early to say how many shots were fired, other than that the subject was struck with gunfire and injured,” BCSO Sergeant Bryan Lovell told Local News 8 Friday. “The coroner’s office will be involved. They’ve got to collect evidence, and that takes time.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Maile Sipraseuth

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – Fairgoers at the Eastern Idaho State Fair gathered in Blackfoot today to learn new skills from local experts during a dedicated Demonstrations Day on Monday. The live sessions took place inside the Home Arts and Demonstrations building, covering everything from outdoor adventures to barbecuing and event planning.

Bryan Booker kicked off the afternoon sessions with a presentation on hiking basics. Booker instructed visitors on how to pack light and select appropriate footwear, while fairgoers also sampled freeze-dried trail meals such as biscuits and gravy.

“Get out there and do it and learn as you go and experiment with it,” Booker said. “And maybe if they could avoid spending some money they don’t need to spend by getting some tips ahead of time, you know, or maybe jump a little bit ahead of the learning curve.”

Following the hiking presentation, Blackhawk Barbecue, the 2026 People’s Choice winner, hosted a masterclass covering meat cuts, seasonings, and temperature control.

Nicholas Transtrum, owner of Blackhawk BBQ, explained the goal of the session for local grilling enthusiasts. “We’re going to help the people be better barbecueers on their own back porch,” Nic said. “It’s, you know, it’s like, what are you struggling with on your back porch? Is that ribs is a brisket, you know. What is it? Right. So let’s help you get it better on your own back porch.”

Caterer Gaya Guymon closed out the day’s schedule. Guymon shared table setup and food-preparation techniques designed to help dinner parties run smoothly.

The Eastern Idaho State Fair will host the “Kitchen Kneads” demonstration day on Wednesday. Local chefs will present live demonstrations on how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, muffins, waffles and caramel apples. The fair is open NOW until Sept. 12. For more information on the fair and future events, click HERE.

Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danielle Mullenix

Grab a light jacket heading out the door this Tuesday morning, with a combined chill from early-morning lows in the 40s and a light breeze across Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. We start warming up for the week ahead, however, with high temperatures climbing back up into the mid-to-upper 70s later this afternoon.

Very light clouds loom over the region Tuesday morning, with a slight chance of showers in the Northern corner of Fremont County. Low humidity is expected in the Snake River Plain and Southeastern elevations. Red Flag conditions could develop by Wednesday as low humidity coincides with rising temperatures. We could also see a return of rain showers and thunderstorms by this weekend.

Gusty winds continue through Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming this Tuesday, with high temperatures ranging from the upper 60s to mid 70s. Wind gusts are expected to be slightly smaller than yesterday, but still approaching the 20-mile-per-hour range. Low humidity and sunshine will cause for lots of clear blue skies across the region. Overnight lows will return to the 40s later this evening and early Wednesday morning.

Wednesday’s forecast will look very similar to today’s, with low humidity raising concerns about Red Flag warnings in dense forest areas and elevated regions. We’re tracking the latest weather updates for you here on Local News 8.

Click here to follow the original article.

David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – After a flurry of legal filings, the Idaho Supreme Court approved new ballot language for the Proposition One abortion initiative on Sunday.

The Court ruled four to one that language submitted Saturday by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador and Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane meets the court’s requirements and state code.

The justices overrode Idahoans United for Women and Families’ objection to the revised language.

However, in an earlier decision on Friday, an unanimous court ruled partly in favor and partly against Idahoans United, asking Labrador and McGrane to rewrite the “Yes/No effect” statements because the previous ballot descriptions didn’t “clearly and concisely communicate the effect of each vote” as required by Idaho code.

Ultimately, the Court approved the following revised Proposition One “Yes/No” statements to appear on November’s ballot.

“A YES vote would support creating a right to abortion before fetal viability— defined as a fetus’ ability to survive without extraordinary medical measures—and after fetal viability in cases of medical emergency; providing protections against professional discipline and civil and criminal liability for healthcare providers; and codifying a statutory reproductive right to freedom and privacy.”

“A NO vote would support making no change to Idaho’s current law, which preserves the life of preborn children by prohibiting abortion, except when necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman, and during the first trimester in documented cases of rape or incest reported to law enforcement.”

Local News 8 reached out to supporters and opponents of Proposition One for their reactions to the ruling.

“We just wanted them to be honest brokers about the fact that doctors face criminal felony conviction, civil penalties, loss of licensure under Idaho’s current abortion ban,” said Idahoans United for Women and Families’ Executive Director Melanie Folwell. “Additionally, it’s really important to know that Idaho’s current ban has no exceptions for health and medical emergencies that include a fatal fetal diagnosis.” 

However, Idaho Chooses Life characterized Proposition One as a “deadly ballot measure.”

“We are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not allow language to be offered to voters that made it more clear that the Defense of Life Act protects women as well as babies,” said Idaho Chooses Life Executive Director David Ripley in a statement. “Current law gives doctors broad discretion to act when there is a threat to the mother’s life. That is why the maternal mortality rate has declined – dramatically – over the last several years.”

Ultimately, Justice Gregory W. Moeller wrote (in part) that the “revised statements are consistent with the views expressed in our prior opinion … and that they also substantially comply with the requirements of Idaho Code 34-1810(1)(b).” Chief Justice G. Richard Bevon, Robyn M. Brody and Cynthia K.C. Meyer agreed.

Justice Colleen D. Zahn dissented, writing in part, “The revised Yes Statement substantially complies with Idaho Code section 34-1810(1)(b). However, I cannot conclude the same about the revised No Statement. I would conclude that the No Statement does not substantially comply because it introduces new terminology not found the Idaho statutes at issue or in the ballot materials for the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, and because the revised No Statement only restates one aspect of current Idaho law…”

Voters will make the final decision on Proposition One at the ballot box on November 3, 2026.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The family of Amber Hoopes and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office invite the community to assemble at the Bonneville County Courthouse this Saturday for Missing Persons Day, an annual event raised to bring attention to all active missing persons cases across Idaho. The statewide movement was first established following Hoopes’ disappearance 25 years ago.

The annual tradition began in 2005 when Audra Burgener, Hoopes’ aunt, petitioned the Idaho Legislature to designate September 14 as Missing Persons Day to honor her niece, who disappeared four years prior.

“It’s going to be a great event this year,” Audra Burgener, the event’s original creator and Amber Hoopes’ aunt, said. “We’re going to have some musical numbers and Sergeant Lovell will open up the program.”

Currently, there are 183 active missing persons cases across Idaho, leaving nearly 200 families searching for answers. Nationally, the National Crime Information Center reports more than 83,000 open missing persons cases.

Sergeant Bryan Lovell, Public Information Officer with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and original investigator on the Hoopes case, will speak on the event’s importance to law enforcement and the community. And he isn’t the only speaker making an appearance.

“Amber’s mom and dad will be speaking, and they haven’t spoken for 20 years,” said Audra. “And then the young lady that was taken off of her trampoline, she’ll be speaking for the first time publicly.”

It has been 25 years since Hoopes disappeared from her grandparents’ home in the middle of the night. Although the primary suspect died by suicide during a police standoff, Hoopes has never been found. Her family still holds out hope that new information will surface.

“We don’t want her to be forgotten,” Audra said. “I just believe somebody knows something. And it’s a way to remember not just Amber, but all of the missing people that are out there.”

Missing Persons Day 2026 will be this Saturday, Sept. 12th, at 12 noon and will be held in front of the Bonneville County Courthouse, 605 N. Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kaelyn Blessinger

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – A piece of American History will be at area schools and parks starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.

The Idaho Liberty Bell Tour is making its way to Rexburg and many other Southeastern Idaho locations to give Idahoans the opportunity to see the historic symbol.

The Idaho Liberty Bell was modeled after the original, cracked Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Idaho’s Liberty Bell was one of the many to be cast.

“The bell will be at the middle school,” Mayor Jerry Merrill, Rexburg’s Mayor said. “And time wise, it’s a little flexible because it’s got to make some stops along the way. But we think it’ll be around 10:30. It’ll be at the middle school, so the school kids can go out and see it and take pictures and look at it. Parents can come and the public is invited. There’ll be some parking available there at the middle school. And so that’ll be a fun event.”

The original Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a national symbol of the American Revolution because legend claims it rang on July 4th, 1776, to announce the Continental Congress’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Although there is no evidence to support the legend, the bell remains a beloved American icon.

Although the reason behind the crack is unknown, it remains a part of the Bell’s design. When repairs attempted to fix the crack, they silenced it forever.

Here is the Liberty Bell’s arrival schedule, though times could change.

Tuesday, September 8th:

Rigby:

Harwood Elementary, 8:30-9 a.m.

Rexburg:

Madison Middle School, 9:45-10:15 a.m.

St. Anthony:

Rotary Park, 11-11:30 a.m.

Ashton:

Museum, 12:45–1:15 p.m.

Driggs:

Teton High School, 2:30-3 p.m.

Victor:

City Park, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

Swan Valley:

American Legion, 5:15-5:45 p.m.

Ririe:

City Shop, 6:45-7:15 p.m.

Wednesday, September 9th:

Mud Lake:

Terreton Elementary, 9-10 a.m.

Arco:

Science Center Park, 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Mackay:

Mackay Jr./Sr. High School, 1:45-2:15 p.m

Challis:

Common Gathering Area, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

Salmon:

Veterans Memorial Park, 5:45-6:30 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

UPDATE 4:40 pm: IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Police Department said Troy Meyers has been found and is safe. No other details were given.

ORIGINAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Police Department is requesting the public’s immediate assistance in locating 13-year-old Troy Meyers, a teen with autism who went missing late Monday morning.

Troy was last seen around 11:30 a.m. at his home near the intersection of John Adams Parkway and South 15th East (St. Clair Road). Troy is 5 ft 4 inches tall and is believed to be wearing a grey hoodie and grey sweatpants and may be riding a bike, according to a post by IFPD.

If you see him or have any information on his whereabouts, call Idaho Falls Police dispatch at 208-529-1200. 

Click here to follow the original article.